this economy wants to take off again. what's holding it back right now is the political uncertainty about whether we're going to go over the cliff and each day that clicks off, we are holding back retail sales during the christmas season and that's just crazy. >> senator, on entitlements, the other side of the equation here if the tax rates have gotten what the president wants, which is a raise to 39.6%. the three national unions have that come out with an ad campaign are targeting two senators. you are one of them. as well as two republican congressman as well. they are saying don't touch social security or medicare or other entitlements. would you be open to touching them in a deal? >> interest groups have every right to advocate but we've seen the lack of power that some of the negative attacks that were spent against a lot of candidates. i think medicare is a great program. it needs to be protected. but anyone that denies the math around these programs is just disconnected to reality. the fact is, when i was a kid, th